Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Judging a Book by Its Cover at the American Folk Art Museum-

- Who Says You Can Judge a Book By Its Cover? : Well... we do. Take a pile of 1950s pulp paperbacks and a pair of sharp scissors, and it's very surprising what secrets are revealed... see more!

- - -

ALMANAC-

June 23, 1961: The American Folk Art Museum is founded, with galleries in a rented townhouse at 49 West 53rd Street. The Museum opened to the public on December 11, 2001. "The 30,000-square-foot structure, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects LLP, is clad in sixty-three panels of lightly textured tombasil, a white bronze alloy. The eight-level, 85-foot tall structure is capped by a skylight above a grand interior stair connecting the third and the fourth floors, with dramatic cut-throughs at each floor to allow natural light to filter into the galleries and through to the lower levels. As a result, dramatic interior spaces are animated by a wash of light, enhancing the experience of the visitor."

- - -

ON OUR SHELVES-

“Encyclopedia of American Folk Art”

Edited by Gerard C. Wertkin.

Published in New York by Routledge in 2004.

“This is the first comprehensive, scholarly study of a most fascinating aspect of American history and culture. Generously illustrated with both black and white and full-color photos, this A-Z encyclopedia covers every aspect of American folk art, encompassing not only painting, but also sculpture, basketry, ceramics, quilts, furniture, toys, beadwork, and more, including both famous and lesser-known genres. Containing more than 600 articles, this unique reference considers individual artists, schools, artistic, ethnic, and religious traditions, and heroes who have inspired folk art. An incomparable resource for general readers, students, and specialists, it will become essential for anyone researching American art, culture, and social history.”